3. Rave in the desert, Morocco

It’s a wonder how everyone is able to get to the right place. "So you make a right after the fourth dune and a left by the palm tree?"

During cooler months, rave parties spring up in random locations in Morocco’s desert.

Hundreds of people bring music, food and drinks to bring the sandy dunes alive -- usually when there’s a full moon. No funny business though; police are often present at the parties and can be tougher than border control.

Best way to hear about the parties is by word of mouth and making friends with locals. For big events, like New Year’s Eve or weddings, commercial operations can organize a party in the Sahara desert.

4. Visit a church-mosque-museum, Turkey

The face of many faiths. Close to the heart of downtown Istanbul lies a mosque that was a church for nearly 500 years; religious harmony has real meaning in a country known for its history of faiths.

From a Roman Catholic Church in the 1200s to a Greek Orthodox church 200 years later, Haghia Sofia was a mosque for 500 years, from the 1450s until the 1990s.

Now it's a museum. Patrons can see portraits of Jesus next to a wall inscribed with words from the Quran. Aside from the stunning fusion of religious influences in the interior, the grounds boast fountains and manicured lawns.

6. Fish from a highway, Egypt

Not recommended during protests on the bridge.Abbas Bridge is part of a major highway in Egypt that crosses over the Nile river -- and in a crowded city like Cairo, there's no sense in wasting the little pavement space available.

People bring lawn chairs and go fishing right off the bridge, with cars speeding close by. This makeshift fishing pier is most popular with locals during summer -- although any fish caught is usually thrown back into the Nile.

8. Spend US$100 on tea, Dubai

"All this for US$100? We''ll take two."

Surprisingly, this isn’t just for people with an obsession with tea. Yes, US$100 for tea sounds a little extreme, but tea time in the world’s only seven-star hotel is more about the experience than the flavored water.

Polished service, gloved waiters and sweeping views from the Skyview Bar are designed to give a taste of royalty and indulgence. You also get all-you-can-eat finger foods and a chance to try exotic teas.

9. Walk a chewing gum-lined street, Tunisia

The Tunisian village of Sidi Bou Said looks and feels exactly like a Greek island. The blue and white houses overlook a marina in this tiny town that's centered around one street.

It boasts Lover’s Walk, a tree-lined street where couples stick chewing gum onto trees as a tribute to love -- not everlasting, but love nonetheless.

On the north coast of Tunisia, 20 kilometers from Tunis, roads and trains give easy access.

10. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

Designed by Chinese American architect Leoh Min Pei, designer of the Louvre.

When the Museum of Islamic Art opened in Doha in November 2010, the glitterati of the art and architecture world flocked to Qatar as if the Louvre were being unveiled for the first time.

The building itself is said to be the last that renowned architect I.M. Pei worked on in the culture space. Home to one of the largest collections of Islamic art in the world, this museum is one of a string of cultural initiatives that are making a big name for the small Gulf nation of Qatar in the art world.